Seattle Mariners Minor League Report: Who's Hot, Who's Not

The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians game was rained out for the second straight day, leaving fans baseball-less for the weekend.

While M's fans haven't been able to be treated to more Brandon League losses, the Cleveland rain has given us an opportunity to see how things are going down in the minors.

And going they are.

Each affiliate scored at least 10 runs on Sunday. Clinton scored 11, High Desert saw 10 cross the plate, Jackson tallied 15 and Tacoma scored an amazing 18 runs. 

In honor of the amazing outburst of offense on Sunday, let's take a look at what hitters are raking, what hitters are struggling and who might have a chance to crack this suddenly reeling Seattle team.

Note: Stats don't include Sunday's games. 

High Desert Mavericks: Vinnie Catricala, Hot

2011 Stats: .368/.412/.526, 5 HR, 26 RBI

The 22-year-old from Maui was drafted by the Mariners in the 10th round of the 2009 draft. He has played every outfield position, third base and first base already this year, so he has shown that he is very flexible.

He is seeing the ball really well right now, as he has hit over .360 with four homers and 14 RBI over the last three weeks.

Catricala added a home run and another three hits to raise his average 12 points on Sunday.

Catricala has hit over .300 in his previous two seasons, so the high average isn't surprising. If he continues this success, a call-up to AA before the end of the season isn't out of question.  

High Desert Mavericks: Gabriel Noriega, Not

2011 Stats: .264/.294/.281, 0 HR, 8 RBI

The 20-year-old second baseman isn't known for his power, so the zero home runs is fine. However, his strikeout to walk ratio is downright scary. The youngster has walked only five times while striking out 43 times.

He's still young, but if he doesn't learn some patience, he won't be moving much farther through the minors.   

Jackson Generals: Kyle Seager, Hot

2011 Stats: .305/.364/.477, 3 HR, 18 RBI

Seager, the former teammate of Dustin Ackley at North Carolina, is hitting .361 with 10 doubles in his last 17 games. He added another three hits, a home run and four RBI today as the Generals rolled over the Huntsville Stars

He's also shown major league-type patience, as he has only struck out 17 times in 31 games 

The third-round pick in 2009 might just take over for Ackley at second base in Tacoma should the latter get called up.  

Jackson Generals: Johermyn Chavez, Not

2011 Stats: .238/.299/.336, 2 HR, 11 RBI

M's fans have high hopes for this guy after he hit 32 home runs last year for the Mavericks. He hasn't quite figured out AA this year, though. Through 33 games, he's struck out 38 times and only drawn eight walks, while failing to find his power.

This kid is the definition of raw. He's got great athletic ability but still hasn't put it all together. Even though I'm placing him on the "not hot" list, I'm not giving up on him yet.  

Tacoma Rainiers: Dustin Ackley, Hot

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 04: Dustin Ackley #13 of the Seattle Mariners runs to first base during the spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Peoria Stadium on March 4, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2011 Stats: .247/.374/.400, 5 HR, 17 RBI

Mariners fans will be happy to see Ackley here. He started slow, but his walk and strikeout rates were always impressive, so it's not surprising to see him turning it around. He is hitting .393 in the last week, and that's without counting the four more hits he recorded Sunday.

Ackley is beginning to put it together, and if the defense follows, it won't be long before we see him in a Mariners uniform. 

Tacoma Rainiers: Mike Carp, Hot

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PEORIA, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Mike Carp #20 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 20, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2011 Stats: .286/.350/.524, 7 HR, 22 RBI

Carp has spent some limited time in the majors, but he is beginning to show that he belongs there for good. His 12:33 walk to strikeout ratio leaves a little bit to be desired, but he exploded on Sunday for three home runs to give him 10 on the year. He also raised his average to .303 and is hitting over .370 in the last two weeks. 

If Jack Cust continues to struggle, I don't see the Mariners hesitating in bringing Carp—who plays DH at Tacoma—to the Show.

Tacoma Rainiers: Franklin Gutierrez, Not

Harry How/Getty Images

PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 01: Franklin Gutierrez #21 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before the game against the Texas Rangers during spring training at Peoria Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2011 Stats: .276, .389, .483, 0 HR, 4 RBI

Guti's rehab assignment is going just fine, and I expect him to be back in the majors sometime this week. Still, I would have liked to see him record more than just one single in six at-bats in Sunday's 18-run outburst by the Rainiers. 

This is really a sign of how well Tacoma is hitting rather than Gutierrez struggling. Nothing to worry about here.

The Rainiers pitching? Now that's another story.

Sources:

 Baseball Reference

Mariners Minor League Report

MLB Minor League Affiliates